Why Do Russians All Seem To Have Video Cameras In Their Cars?

Most of the fantastic video footage from last week’s meteor crash in Russia came from car video cameras. Why is it Russians have video cameras mounted in their cars? I’ll tell you, plus show you some of the more thrilling accidents caught on Russian dash cams.

Even before the meteor crash, Russian cameras have been responsible for some of YouTube’s more interesting traffic videos. Everything from pedestrians getting clipped, to 18 wheelers smashing into other on snow covered highways as been captured by dash cams throughout the world’s biggest country. So what gives?

The answer is not only fascinating but sad. It turns out Russian drivers are not only notoriously bad, but they’re notoriously drunk. Driving on Russian roads is an adventure that makes your worst day on the Beltway in rain seem like a go-kart ride at a kiddie amusement park.

This fact, combined with a corrupt Russian police force and an insurance industry that is questionable at best, makes Russian drivers more than a little paranoid. So, they invest in small dashboard cameras that record every moment they’re in the car, so they have instant proof for corrupt cops and insurance scammers that it wasn’t their fault. (Many also buy an additional camera for the rear window as well, just in case.)

Let’s start things out with a supercut of dash cam footage to give you the wide range of possibilities, including shirtless men fighting.

And now, let’s show you why the dash cam is a good thing to have in Russia. Watch as this pedestrian tries to pull an insurance scam by faking like he got hit. He doesn’t even try to make it look real.

And here’s Granma, pissed off because she was cut off, coming for some blood. I especially enjoy how quickly the guy with the cam skates out of there after being attacked by his own bumper.

You can enjoy hours of videos like this by searching “Russian dash cams” on YouTube.